Chapter 6

I pushed open the creaky wooden door.

In the yard, Martha was feeding the chickens.

When she spotted me, she paused for a moment, and then her face broke into a delighted smile.

Martha shouted, "You wretched girl! You've got the nerve to come back?"

She stormed over, yanking a fistful of my hair.

"So you think you're tough now? Running away, huh? I'll teach you a lesson, and you'll never forget today," she screamed.

The all-too-familiar pain flared across my scalp.

I didn't resist. I let her drag me wherever she wanted.

Frank stepped out of the house, his…